News Release
National Tribal Trial College
The National Tribal Trial College, in partnership with the University of Wisconsin Law School and the United States Department of Justice, is now accepting applications for a free, six-month Certificate in Tribal Court Legal Advocacy. Now in its eighth year, this innovative and highly acclaimed legal education model addresses the critical shortage of attorneys in Indian Country and Alaska by training laypersons to litigate the most urgent legal needs: divorce, custody, domestic violence protection orders, child support, and victim rights.
In just six months, graduates master the legal skills necessary to practice law in tribal courts across the United States. No undergraduate degree is required to gain admission to this highly competitive program. Priority of admission is given to applicants with demonstrated experience serving American Indian/Alaska Native communities.
To date, 177 Legal Advocates from 72 Tribes in 24 states have completed the rigorous, 240-hour course. National Tribal Trial College graduates have gone on to represent thousands of clients who otherwise would have no access to justice. “Our graduates are actually more qualified to provide legal representation in Tribal Courts than most attorneys”, says the Dean of the National Tribal Trial College, Hallie Bongar White. “They can live and work in their own communities while completing the 20 week/200 hours of online study before completing a hands-on, 40 hour ‘trial skills bootcamp’ at the University of Wisconsin Law School. The faculty are Indian law and litigation experts with real world expertise advancing safety and justice in Tribal courts.”
For more information about the National Tribal Trial College and to access the application, please visit www.nttconline.org.
